Sudanese civilians fleeing El-Fasher describe ethnic attacks by paramilitary forces targeting people based on tribe and skin colour
TAWILA: Survivors fleeing the Sudanese city of El-Fasher have described systematic ethnic attacks by paramilitary forces targeting civilians based on tribe and skin colour.
The Rapid Support Forces captured their last Darfur stronghold on October 26, with subsequent reports emerging of mass killings and ethnic violence.
Three survivors now sheltering in nearby Tawila told AFP they witnessed paramilitary fighters executing people based on ethnic identity.
“They judge you by your tribe, your skin colour and where your family is from,” said university student Hassan Osman.
“If you belong to certain tribes, they don’t ask any questions, you are killed on sight.”
Osman described city streets “filled with bodies” during his escape, with some victims slaughtered and others eaten by dogs.
Amna Haroun from the Zaghawa tribe watched RSF fighters gun down her husband and eldest son while declaring “We don’t want you here.”
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people across Sudan.
Darfur’s non-Arab ethnic groups including Zaghawa, Fur, Berti and Masalit have long been targeted by Arab militias.
The RSF traces its origins to the Janjaweed militia accused of genocide in Darfur two decades ago.
Between 2003 and 2008, an estimated 300,000 people were killed in ethnic violence campaigns.
Osman said darker-skinned residents faced “racial insults, humiliation, degradation and physical and psychological violence” while fleeing.
“If your skin is light, they might let you go,” he observed. “It’s purely ethnic.”
Hussein from the Fur tribe described being detained with 200 men in Garni town where they were beaten and called “slaves.”
Survivors also reported RSF fighters demanding hundreds of dollars for safe passage based on tribal identity.
An RSF officer denied the allegations, calling them “false accusations” and citing directives to protect civilians.
UN experts expressed alarm Friday over “credible reports” of RSF executions they called war crimes potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
MSF’s Sylvain Penicaud said many fleeing civilians reported “being attacked simply for being black.” – AFP
